Instructor Class Description

Special Topics

Topics vary with each offering.

Class description

For Spring 2012
In 1951, H. Richard Niebuhr, the less known but many would argue superior theologian to his better known brother Reinhold, penned the classic Christ and Culture. Niebuhr sought to excavate and outline, across the history of Christianity, five ideal types to describe the relation of faith and culture, religion and culture, Christianity and culture. Niebuhrís five types included: Christ against culture; the Christ of culture; Christ above culture; Christ and culture in paradox, and finally, the one Niebuhr tended to favor, Christ the transformer of culture. Niebuhr drew on his encyclopedic knowledge of Christian history and thought to synthesize the vast complexity of relations between Christianity and its various cultures. His work was a classic that no one has surpassed. Many have tried. We will study the original and the various critics of the work. This is about Christianity and culture, but the framework and thinking can be used to apply to other religions and cultures. The course invites an intense examination of Niebuhrís work and his critics; students, however, are encouraged to bring their own research, on whatever religion, to examine and present for their final papers, in light and in critique of Niebuhrís classic.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Recommended preparation

Class assignments and grading

The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Loryn Rhea Paxton
Date: 02/08/2012

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Modified:January 16, 2013